Press Kit & Promo Materials

Band Bio

We’re not from the Black Hills, the Texas Panhandle or Appalachia. We’re from the Twin Cities. Damn proud of it, too, but we play country music, because it’s one of America’s native languages.

We use it to tell our stories of love, good times, Grain Belt, and friends. Some are fact. Some are fiction with the truth hiding in there somewhere. All of them are heartfelt.

We’re pickers, fiddlers, groovers & harmonizers. We’re ready to make you sing along, get up and dance or just sit and tap your toes. We’re The Federales.

“Don’t let my disdain for what I call “beard-rock” fool you — man, I fucking love country, and I love when it’s done right. And I’m gonna say: The Federales, from what I can tell, tick every god-damn box possible.”— l’etoile magazine

“[H]eartbroken lyrics sound like they’d fit right in at a summertime backyard party.”— The Current

The Federales are:James Gould on electric guitarMark Larson on drumsBen Miller on acoustic guitar, harmonica, and vocalsJay Scabich on fiddleAndy Schuster on bassKarl Wahoske on banjo, acoustic guitar, and vocals

Press Photos

(click to download hi-res version)

Reviews & More

“Gorgeous vocal harmonies dance with pedal steel, banjo, and guitar, and ‘Under Your Gun,’ the first single off the Federales’ upcoming debut Blues, Bourbon, and Burritos, makes heartbroken lyrics sound like they’d fit right in at a summertime backyard party. The Federales’ energy waxes and wanes from tender to rowdy, but never lacks in spirit.”

“Don’t let my disdain for what I call “beard-rock” fool you—man, I fucking love country, and I love when it’s done right. And I’m gonna say: The Federales, from what I can tell, tick every god-damn box possible. They’re raw, they’re a little bit angry, they’re twangy in all the right ways, they understands how to wield the tenor guitar and the banjo in a way that doesn’t make you wanna strangle people, and god damn, can they play.”— l’etoile Magazine: Weekend What’s What 2/20 – 2/23 [2/20/2014]

“The Federales sing of Grain Belt, of places like Arkansas and Minnesota, and of love and loss. But where they really live is in the hearts of their listeners.”— Joe Newberry

“This live clip of the group performing the awesomely-titled ‘Guitars and Grain Belt’ at Amsterdam gives you a reason why their sets are so entertaining. The retro-colored clip was shot by Patrick Pelham, who captures the band doing just what they do best — rocking a stage with their alt-country, barstool jams.”— City Pages: Top 10 must-see Minnesota music videos this week [7/24/2014]